Jing Boran described The Early Spring as the first true idol drama of his acting career in an interview published by Marie Claire China in August. His account centers on the work behind Luke Luan’s wardrobe, rather than a claim that this is his first romance or television role.
The Chinese actor plays advertising executive Luan Nian, also called Luke Luan in Netflix’s English presentation. He told the magazine that the character needed a refined but restrained look, and that he drew on fashion contacts accumulated over years to build it.
More than 120 looks for one character
According to Jing, Luan Nian had more than 120 outfits. They combined pieces from his own wardrobe with current-season runway clothing from major labels. He described changing clothes more than a dozen times in a day on set, while new options continued to arrive for fitting and selection. The figure refers to character looks he discussed with Marie Claire; it is not an independently counted inventory of costumes visible in the finished episodes.
The actor singled out Chanel’s help with clothing and accessories. He said he chose understated accessories suited to an office setting. That choice fits Luan Nian’s job at an advertising agency, where presentation is part of the character’s authority.
Clothing also had to work through difficult conditions. The production moved from Beijing to Harbin, where Jing recalled filming for hours in a dark blue cashmere coat during subzero nights. Layers of thermal clothing and a concealed down vest were worn underneath. His conclusion in the interview was that making an idol drama demanded more effort than he had expected.
Why he was drawn to Luke Luan
Jing did not present Luan Nian as an uncomplicated romantic ideal. He described a successful, arrogant man whose control is unsettled by Shang Zhitao, played by Sun Qian. On first reading their story, he was uneasy about the imbalance between the two characters at work and in their lives. The friction, and the chance for Luan Nian to change, made the part compelling to him.
This is also why his “first idol drama” description should be read as his own assessment of the project. Marie Claire placed the comment alongside his reflections on playing complex urban characters in earlier work. The Early Spring was a new type of sustained role for him, not a statement that he had never acted in a love story.
Who plays Luke Luan and Flora Shang?
Jing Boran plays Luke Luan, whose Chinese name is Luan Nian (栾念). Sun Qian plays Flora Shang, also known as Shang Zhitao (尚之桃). The two lead the workplace romance at the center of The Early Spring. The Marie Claire photographs here show Jing in an editorial fashion shoot; they are not images of him in character on the drama set.
Who’s who in The Early Spring
For the episode count, cast and streaming information, read our guide to The Early Spring.
Explore the characters and story on The Early Spring series page.
